Instrument flying is a perishable skill. Use it or lose it.
You, a
pilot, actually
fly your airplane? Gasp, shock, horror; I didn't think we were allowed to do that anymore, only to "operate"..
Take cover and standby for the usual brigade of "you dangerous, crazy macho"!
Fifteen years of airline flying and I have yet to come across a rambo-pilot who wanted to hand-fly when inappropriate (low vis/ceiling, traffic, fatigued, windshear or tech problems), that simply doesn't happen. However I have witnessed plenty who would always pass up on perfect chances to polish their skills and work on their instrument scan (cavok, no traffic or tech problems, no fatigue issues). They inevitably click on the A/P at minimum engagement altitude and leave it engaged until minimums. Usually with a sheepish comment like "it flies better than I do anyway" or "they don't really want us to hand-fly"...
As john_smith says, use it or lose it.
